The 12 Healthiest Protein Bars That Pack Clean, Natural Ingredients

When consumed judiciously, the healthiest protein bars can provide a satiating bridge between meals and a convenient way to help meet your daily protein needs (without having to grill a steak).

It follows that protein is the hot macronutrient these days. While bodybuilders have always obsessed with protein intake, the general public has suddenly become very pro-protein and anti-sugar.

Product labels reflect the trend, with protein content touted loudly on everything from waters and cereals to protein powder-dusted popcorn. Protein bars by contrast have been popular for years as an easy between-meal protein boost or meal replacement, but the surge in protein bar popularity means there are more options than ever. While they're tempting, they shouldn’t be viewed as an equal replacement for a balanced diet based on whole foods.

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With the abundance, choosing a quality protein bar has become more challenging. Jenna Stangland, registered dietitian for supplement brand Momentous, says evaluating what's inside protein bars is key to whether they meet your dietary goals.

“The ingredients are really going to determine if it is a healthy option or just a boosted candy bar,” she says.

Below, we share some general guidelines for selecting a healthy protein bar. We also picked our favorites across a range of categories that may better meet your dietary requirements, whether that’s muscle-building, keto or vegan diets, or allergen-avoiding diets such as gluten-free or nut-free. Our top choice, Rise Whey Protein Bar, is filling and protein-rich, as well as made with simple ingredients.

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Healthiest Protein Bars at a Glance

• Healthiest Overall Protein Bar: Rise Whey Protein Bars

• Best Low-Sugar Protein Bar: MariGold ChunkyChoco Pecan Protein Bars

• Healthiest Gluten-Free Protein Bar: GoMacro Peanut Butter Protein Replenishment Bar

• Best Nut-Free Protein Bar: 88 Acres Banana Bread Protein Bar

• Best High-Protein Bar: Barebells Cookies & Caramel Protein Bar

• Best-Tasting Healthy Protein Bar: Unite Churro Flavor Protein Bar

• Best Whole Food Protein Bar: Perfect Bar Refrigerated Protein Bar

• Best Healthy Vegan Protein Bar: Orgain Plant-Based Protein Bars

• Best Protein Bar Alternative: Legendary Foods Protein Pastry

• Healthiest High-Fiber Protein Bar: Supergut Prebiotic Bar

• Best Keto-Friendly Protein Bar: Quest Nutrition Protein Bar

• Healthiest Dessert Protein Bar: Clio Yogurt Bar

Healthiest Protein Bars of 2024

Overall Healthiest Protein Bar: Rise Whey Protein Bar

If you want a filling, protein-rich snack without having to look up a lot of ingredients, Rise Whey Protein Bars keep it simple with just three-ingredients, skipping sugar alcohols and other artificial ingredients.

Almonds and whey protein combine for 18g of protein, while honey provides carbs and sweetness. The taste and texture are chewy and basic, like an old-school PowerBar. If your goal is to get convenient protein and some energy between meals without a lot of mysterious extras, Rise is all you want and nothing more.

Best Low-Sugar Protein Bar: MariGold ChunkyChoco Pecan Protein Bars

There is no shortage of low-carb protein bars on the market, but the vast majority use sugar alcohols such as malitol and erythritol, which can cause stomach upset in some people.

MariGold Protein Bars use stevia to add a touch of plant-derived calorie-free sweetness to their all-natural bars, which deliver an impressive 22g of protein, mostly from grass-fed whey as the primary ingredient and a bit from Texas-grown pecans. The only real downside here is the cost, which is at least double the price of most cheap processed protein bars.

Best Gluten-Free Protein Bar: GoMacro Peanut Butter Protein Replenishment Bar

GoMacro Peanut Butter Protein Replenishment Bar uses natural ingredients but avoids being bland or boring thanks to chunks of peanut and peanut chips. It’s also gluten-free and delivers 11g of plant-based protein from brown rice (and the peanuts).

At 280 calories and 36g of carbs, it’s neither a low-calorie nor low-carb option, but there’s no gluten and nothing artificial, making it an energy-rich snack with a nice protein boost.

Best Nut-Free Protein Bar: 88 Acres Banana Bread Protein Bar

Nut allergies can be serious and highly sensitive, so it’s important to find a bar such as 88 Acres’ Banana Bread Protein Bar. It's nut-free and produced in a dedicated nut-free facility. It’s also vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free, making it a great option for a range of allergies and special diets.

The 12g of protein come from pumpkin seeds, and the simple ingredient list makes this a great option if you’re looking for minimally processed protein bars with natural ingredients.

Best High-Protein Bar: Barebells Cookies & Caramel Protein Bar

Barebells makes dangerously delicious protein bars that pack 20g of protein into a 210-calorie bar by leading with a whey protein blend as the first ingredient (our favorite is the Cookies & Caramel Protein Bar). The bar serves as a meal replacement or between-meal protein supplement snack, but the candy bar-like construction makes it a healthier treat alternative thanks to the lack of added sugars.

Not all stomachs love sugar alcohols, such as the malitol used here, so treat the bar as just that: a low-sugar, sweet-tasting treat with a nice protein boost. Not a replacement for a balanced diet based on whole foods.

Best-Tasting Healthy Protein Bar: Unite Churro Protein Bar

Unite makes almond butter-based protein bars with unique flavors such as Mexican Hot Chocolate and Bubble Tea that help them stand out in the protein bar aisle and on your taste buds. We like the Churro Protein Bar best, though.

The bars pair 10g to 11g of protein from almonds and whey powder with a reasonable amount of carbs, thanks to a mix of natural sugars and sugar alternatives that also help keep the calories at a modest 190.

Best Whole Food Protein Bar: Perfect Bar Refrigerated Protein Bar

Shelf-stable protein bars are convenient for stashing in your vehicle or gym bag, but many end up being highly processed as a result. Perfect Bar Refrigerated Protein Bar costs a bit more but packs 17g of protein into a fresher bar made from minimally processed whole food ingredients such as peanut butter, eggs, milk, and honey.

These 340-calorie bars pack a nutritional punch in a small package, which can be a great thing if you’re looking for satiating meal replacement, but may require care if you’re looking to protein bars to help manage overall calorie consumption.

Best Vegan Protein Bar: Orgain Plant-Based Protein Bars

Orgain Plant-Based Protein Bars use the supplement company’s plant-based organic protein powder to deliver a solid 10g of protein in a 150-calorie package.

Unlike heftier protein bars that pack high calorie counts, the Orgain bars make for a reasonable snack rather than a meal between meals, and are great not only for vegan dieters, but for anyone looking for a protein boost without spoiling dinner.

Best Protein Bar Alternative: Legendary Foods Protein Pastry

Even the best-tasting protein bars can get old if you eat them day after day. One of the most creative protein bar alternatives we’ve found is Legendary Foods Protein Pastry, a low-carb, high-protein take on classic Pop-Tarts. The packaging and flavors are fun, and despite having only 4g of net carbs, they were able to nail the taste and texture.

Lest you think these “pastries” are just a protein gimmick food, there’s 20g of protein inside and only 180 total calories. Pop them in the microwave or toaster to take this protein-packed treat to the next level.

Healthiest High-Fiber Protein Bar: Supergut Prebiotic Bar

Crispy, yogurt-coated Supergut Prebiotic Bars deliver 10g of protein from whey, but the headline (and primary ingredient) is Supergut’s proprietary prebiotic fiber blend designed to maximize feelings of fullness.

Each bar is a reasonable 180 calories and has only 6g of net carbs while still tasting pretty good thanks to natural sugar alternative allulose, which doesn’t have the odd aftertaste of other non-caloric sweeteners. Even if you don’t use them for weight management, the Supergut bars deliver a nice protein boost without the heavy calorie count of other protein bars.

Best Keto-Friendly Protein Bar: Quest Nutrition Protein Bar

Quest Nutrition Protein Bars can be found nationwide in grocery stores and even gas stations. They're a go-to for keto dieters for a protein boost and energy on the go.

The bars taste sweet but have only 4g of net carbs thanks to the inclusion of prebiotic fiber and keto-friendly erythritol. The sweetener is derived from corn and has 70 percent of the sweetness of sugar but only 6 percent of the calories. The bars are a simple, chewy block of dense nutrition. And for those trying to maintain ketosis, they can be an important bridge between keto-friendly meals.

Best Healthy Dessert Protein Bar: Clio Yogurt Bar

Clio Yogurt Bars have a simple ingredient list, a decent 8- or 9-gram protein boost, and a great taste that makes them a protein bar swap for empty-calorie desserts. Eaten refrigerated or frozen, the Clio bars taste like a froyo bar, and the yogurt flavor really shines through, which is a plus if you love yogurt—not so much if you just want it to taste like ice cream.

The protein content isn’t as high as most other protein bars, but considering each bar is only 150 calories, it’s actually a decent ratio, and certainly more nutritionally rewarding than smashing a pint of Ben and Jerry's.

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Are Protein Bars Good for You?

With the wide range of types and quality of protein bars, it’s incorrect to suggest that all protein bars are healthy all the time and in any quantity. But when chosen carefully and used appropriately, protein bars are a convenient way to help meet your daily protein needs.

We spoke to several nutritionists for this article, and all echoed the same best use cases for quality protein bars: as a meal replacement, as post-workout nutrition, or as a bridge between balanced meals.

Madison Galascio, RD, LDN, senior product compliance and nutrition analyst with Whole Foods Market, points out that sometimes there are limited options for healthy bites, such as when purchasing food at a convenience store or airport, or from a vending machine. “[Protein bars] have more protein than many other portable food choices such as trail mix, nut butter, granola, fig bars, and string cheese," she says.

When you're trying to source a healthy protein bar, follow these ingredient guidelines:

• High-quality protein sources: Prioritize protein bars that source protein from high-quality isolates and concentrates such as grass-fed whey protein, just as you would for a clean plant-based protein powder or whey protein powder.

• Natural sweeteners: Choose bars with natural sources of sugar like cane sugar, honey, agave, or from real fruit like dates.

• Whole food ingredients: Clean protein bars only use whole foods or natural ingredients. Look for minimal or no artificial ingredients, if possible.

• Healthy fats: Fats are essential for your body to absorb certain nutrients and help keep you full. Opt for protein bars that contain healthy fats from nuts and seeds rather than those that use vegetable or hydrogenated oils.

What to Avoid When Buying Protein Bars

The tastiest protein bars can be deceiving. Look at the label and avoid protein bars with lots of added sugars, artificial ingredients, and processed ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oil.

Start with the ingredient list, where less is usually more, and whole food ingredients outperform anything that looks overly complicated. The optimal clean protein bar will also depend on your specific goals. Are you using the bars to fuel up away from home, bridge the gap between meals, or support weight loss or muscle growth? The best choice will vary accordingly, but here are some good general criteria to aim for:

• Energy: Organic protein bars should have a nice balance of healthy fats, protein, and fiber to keep you satisfied and between 100 to 400 calories per serving from real ingredients.

• Protein: The difference between snack bars and protein bars boils down to protein. Aim for at least 10g.

• Fiber: Look for natural protein bars with at least 3g fiber.

Can You Eat a Protein Bar Every Day?

Daniel Chavez, RD, of Fay Nutrition says protein bar consumption is best tailored to individual diets, but that quality bars can be eaten daily, if they help meet your goals.

“A common and safe practice for the general population is to consume a protein bar between meals to manage hunger," he says. "However, the rest of the diet should primarily consist of a diverse range of whole foods to ensure the intake of essential nutrients often lacking in protein bars.”

Can a Protein Bar Replace a Meal?

Nutritionists we consulted say a healthy protein bar is a better choice than skipping meals or giving in to low-quality junk food but shouldn’t be viewed as equivalent to balanced meals.

“Depending on the ingredients and macronutrient content of the bar, they could be used as a meal replacement but should not always be a go-to preference above a whole food meal,” says Stangland.

When to Eat a Protein Bar

While nutrient timing can be important, it doesn’t outweigh the importance of an overall healthy diet. Protein bars can be eaten post-workout but also are useful to promote fullness between meals when on the go to avoid reaching for less-healthy snacks.

Jaclyn Sklaver of Athleats Nutrition works with NBA, NFL, UFC, and other professional athletes and recommends protein bars after workouts to promote recovery but also to help maintain good nutritional habits.

“A lot of people will finish a workout and have to run errands or get distracted and hours can pass before the next meal," she says. "Having a protein bar can keep your blood sugar and hunger level steady so you don’t find yourself ravenous when you finally get to eat.”

What to Look for When Choosing the Best Protein Bars

To narrow down our list of the best healthy protein bars, we tested dozens of  brands, including those widely available in supermarkets. We also surveyed nutritionists for their favorites and sought out lesser-known options that met the ideal requirements and macronutrient profiles we heard from those nutritionists.

We compared nutritional information and taste-tested dozens of bars over several weeks, likely exceeding what any nutritionist would recommend consuming, all for the sake of finding the best-tasting, healthiest options on the market.

The experts we spoke with all emphasized the importance of finding protein bars with at least 10g of protein to avoid eating bars that are simply carb- or fat-heavy “energy bars,” or glorified candy bars. They also recommended seeking out protein bars made from mostly whole food ingredients and avoiding artificial sweeteners, though we included several options with sugar alcohols and sugar substitutes for dieters looking to minimize carb intake to meet their nutritional goals.

Sugar alternatives, such as malitol, sorbitol, erythritol, stevia, allulose, and sucralose, are common protein bar ingredients that add sweetness without the calorie and carb loads of traditional sugars and syrups. However, several of the nutritionists we spoke with advised caution as many of these sweeteners can cause gastric distress.

“Many bars now have sugar alcohols or too much added fiber which can cause digestion and gut health issues," says Sklaver. "I always look for bars that have all-natural ingredients and are minimally processed.”

If you’re following a low-carb or keto diet and enjoy the sweet taste of sugar alternatives, experiment before committing to them as a regular part of your diet to make sure they agree with you.

Why You Should Trust Us

I'm an experienced health journalist and certified strength and conditioning specialist with decades of protein bar consumption under my belt. I also have experimented with lots of recipes for homemade protein bars in addition to eating dozens of protein bars researching this article.

I spoke with several nutritionists as well to round out my understanding of what makes a healthy protein bar option. My current record for most protein bars eaten in one day stands at nine—with surprisingly little gastric distress.

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